The story is told about a child who was asked what the Church is. His simple answer was: “It is a place where people nod at each other.”
In today’s Gospel (Mt. 17, 1-9), we hear how Jesus was transfigured before His disciples, and how the Father, as if nodding, gave His approval and confirmation to Jesus, saying: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” May we all get, too, that nodding approval from our loving Father through the lives we are living.
If the Father were looking at the world we are living, and at what we have become, and at what we are doing, would He be shaking His head in dismay and disappointment? We also ask ourselves the question: Do we still care to nod at each other, and recognize/appreciate each other’s presence?
“Listen to Him.” This is what we all need to do, more than ever. We have to go back to the basics once again, i.e., to be humble to our God, and to love each other, or at least, be respectful and kind to one another. The problem is that it is money that speaks and dictates our way of thinking and living nowadays. Let us listen to Him. He is speaking.
“Be still and know I am God” (Psalm 46, 10). Now, too, in this time of fear and uncertainties, let us listen to Him. Let us go through whatever challenges that confront us, with faith in our hearts, and with courage, knowing that God is in control, that God has a plan through it all.
Let this COVID-19 outbreak cleanse, purify, and transfigure us all. How fragile life is, and how things can just change in an instant! How little are our achievements, possessions, and plans. Perhaps we all can become less proud, less selfish, and less materialistic in our thoughts, words, and actions.
